Wanting some info

newcpaper · Post by **newcpaper** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 5:38 pm

Hello;
As you can see from my username....I am a new CPAP er, new to this forum also, new to any forum. I just received my CPAP a week ago. It is a REMstar Plus M series. with C-Flex and humidifier.... and I am using the Swift Nasal Pillow. My pressure setting is 9. I have used the humidifier but I don't think it is set to warm. but ????? remember I'm new...I hope I didn't forget anything.

The tech set everything up for me. It was OK the first night but because my bed night stand is on the right and I sleep on the right side of the bed. I sleep most of the time on my stomach or on my side, facing the right side, the mask tube kept getting in my way and waking me up....so I switched the mask around so that the tube comes out of the left side of my mask, away from the pillow. It's better but still not great. I guess I must move around a lot when I do sleep, because I have already completely knocked the unit to the floor. It still worked so I hope it is OK.

I'm not sure if I should go to the complete nose mask, the one that has the hose in the middle, or not. I am determined to make this work but I keep waking up throughout the night adjusting things. In the morning I wake up with my lungs hurting and not sure if I did get a good sleep or not.
Does all these questions sound familiar? Is this normal?
Does this lung hurting go away after a while...or should I worry about it?
Should I go to the other nose mask, because I have 30 days to switch, but if it wouldn't be better...I'll stay with what I got...because I think I only get the one chance to switch. OH sooo many question.....sorry. Any help will be appreciated.

snoregirl · Post by **snoregirl** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 6:47 pm

First thing I would do is move your CPAP to the floor. Doesn't need to be on a stand, just can fall off and easier for you to get rainout.

You say your lungs hurt. Are you sure your DME set up the unit properly and turned the cflex on? My unit was not set up correctly so it does happen. If you toggle through the setup menu you should be showing CFLE. I have a regular Remstar Auto so I can't tell you on the M how to check this.

I sleep with the Swift. I am one who has the hose going down and I pin it on the sheet (pin thorugh a hose cover or just a piece of tape) so it doesn't pull down due to the weight of the hose, but still I have most of the hose on me or under the covers to keep it from moving. Fine for me since I have A/C and like to sleep with heavy covers and that keeps the hose secure.

Some here run the hose up the side of the head and make a hook of some kind on the headboard or wall above them. You can find some postings on that if you search.

I like the swift. I find that the air blowing directy up my nose keeps my sinus clearer than w/o CPAP. So I can't say if you should switch.

I suggest you try different ways of hanging the hose or securing the hose so you can move as freely as possible and give the Swift a good try. And move that machine to the floor so it doesn't fall and break. I have a clear plexiglass sheet under it (like for a kitchen) so I can pour water and not get the carpet, also I figure the air intake is not real close to the carpet and sucking fibers into the filters that way.

newcpaper · Post by **newcpaper** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:12 pm

Thank you....the unit gets put on the floor TONIGHT.
Also, I think I'll use a place-mat under it....good idea..
The pining of the hose I will also try and I guess I'll have to read the manual on the unit better to see about the heating part. I think the humidifier is working because I have to fill it up every night but I don't think it is warm.
Thank you for the ideas....any more ideas are welcome...
Still worried about the hurting lungs but, as I said, I'm determined.

bdp522 · Post by **bdp522** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:21 pm

My 'lungs' were sore too, and i've spoken to others with the same problem. It went away after a few days for myself, and the others I have spoken to. It seems that even with c-flex you have to get used to breathing against some pressure.
If you look on ebay you will see a clip for holding the hose onto the bed(search cpap). I bought all the stuff to make one at a local craft store for about $1. Works like a charm!
My humidifier is set on 3 and It doesn't get very warm but I can tell a difference between 1 - 2 - and 3. If you're using alot of water I'd think it was working OK.

Brenda

Offerocker · Post by **Offerocker** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:39 pm

bdp522 wrote:My 'lungs' were sore too, and i've spoken to others with the same problem. It went away after a few days for myself, and the others I have spoken to. It seems that even with c-flex you have to get used to breathing against some pressure.

I hurt when NOT on the cpap; from holding my breath!
C-Flec solved all my problems breathing/exhaling which I had without c-flex.
Maybe everyone is somewhat different in their experiences.

Goofproof · Post by **Goofproof** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 7:39 pm

You can get the hose in 10 foot too. If you get congested or mouthbreath, a FF Mask is nice, well, not nice but necessary. Nice to me, Jim

apneaicinisrael · Post by **apneaicinisrael** » Mon Aug 28, 2006 11:55 pm

Hi, Welcome to our world! You have the positive attitude, and with that you will do just fine. So have patience and humor and keep learning about your equipment and options, and it will settle down in time.

I am also a side/stomach sleeper - as are lots of us. There are a couple of good options. Nasal masks - but I don't know enough about the names and pros/cons to tell you more about them. Nasal pillows - the Swift that you have, the Breeze, the Aura Headrest, and the Comfort Lite 2 are the favorites. I used the Swift for the first two weeks and liked it, but the hose to the side thing bothered me and I tried the Breeze which routes the hose upwards and that was better. Lately I have enjoyed the CL - 2. Now you can't change the mask every other night, but talk with your DME (your medical equipment person) to see if you should try out something else. On the Swift, though, putting the hose up and fastening it with the velcro strap in an upwards direction helps.

How are your lungs feeling?
Keep posting, and keep persisting!

AII

newcpaper · Post by **newcpaper** » Tue Aug 29, 2006 7:18 am

Hello again. Last night I put the unit on the floor....used a rubber band and clip to pin it to the mattress sheet, turned the humidifier up to 3 and used the trick about putting the back strap under the hair to keep it from sliding up. Much, much better. My lungs don't hurt as much this morning and I know I got some sleep last night. I'll look around at the other masks and I think I'll look into getting that 10 foot hose. Gee....you all have been so much helped to me. This morning I feel I can keep on keeping on. Well, I better get to work....later. and thanks.